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2021 Hero World Challenge: Top 10 power rankings at Albany

By Mike Randleman

December 2, 2017; New Providence, The Bahamas; Detail view of the trophy on the first hole during the third round of the Hero World Challenge golf tournament at Albany. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
December 2, 2017; New Providence, The Bahamas; Detail view of the trophy on the first hole during the third round of the Hero World Challenge golf tournament at Albany. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 17, 2021; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Rory McIlroy celebrates after winning the CJ Cup golf tournament. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 17, 2021; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Rory McIlroy celebrates after winning the CJ Cup golf tournament. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports /

Youngsters like Collin Morikawa, Scottie Scheffler, Viktor Hovland, etc. all make sense to be on the list of Hero World Challenge debutants. Seeing Rory McIlroy on there was a bit of surprise.

Yet, here he is at Tiger’s event for the first time.

It makes sense why McIlroy has passed on this event in years’ past. It’s not like he’s been starved for cash or world ranking points. Plus, as a dual PGA Tour and DP World Tour member, his schedule is busy throughout the year and the Euro Tour’s Race to Dubai leads right up to the Hero.

McIlroy can use this event as a springboard into 2022. He already built some momentum with a win at the CJ Cup against a top-tier field.

McIlroy looked poised to build on it with another win at the DP World Tour Championship in Dubai a couple weeks ago. He was the 54-hole leader before Morikawa came back to win. It culminated in McIlroy ripping his shirt in a fit of rage after the round as a result of dropping to T-6th.

He was third in the field in driving distance (290.4) and is one of the better drivers in the field in Albany. McIlroy was also 15th in greens in regulation (69.4%) while competing against a strong field.

The 32-year-old ranked fourth (.66) on the PGA Tour last season in strokes gained off the tee and seventh (1.368) in total SG.

The win at the CJ Cup got McIlroy back in the top 10 in the world rankings for the first time since May. He can inch back closer to the top five for the first time since November 2020 with a strong showing at Albany.

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